Final answer:
Transhumance is a subsistence strategy in pastoral societies where most people stay in a settlement while a smaller group moves with animal herds seasonally. This allows for a mix of herding and farming and ensures that vulnerable populations can stay in permanent settlements.
Step-by-step explanation:
The strategy described here is characteristic of pastoral societies, specifically the practice called transhumance. In transhumance, the majority of the community resides permanently in a settlement, while a smaller segment is responsible for moving with the herds to different pastures depending on the season. In contrast, nomadism involves the entire community moving with the herds on a regular basis.
Mobility is a crucial aspect of pastoral societies due to the need for large herds to feed on fresh pastures. This need for mobility shapes various subsistence strategies, such as nomadism, where movements are unpredictable, and transhumance, which includes moving between different settlements.
Transhumance allows for a blend of herding and farming. For instance, some communities plant crops before moving the herds into the desert and return for the harvest. This strategy can also involve the most vulnerable community members, such as the elderly and young children, staying in the permanent settlement to access amenities such as healthcare and education.